A national project that started in North
Carolina and spreads the message of hope
has found its way to Elk County.
South Street Botanical Designs, located on
South Street in Ridgway, installed the
Little Red Mailbox in the boutique's front yard.
Owner Brandy Buehler said she and employee
Shawna Johnson were looking for a way to
fill a void in the front yard.
Buehler said Johnson stumbled upon the
Little Red Mailbox.
"The shop filled a void in Shawna's life
personally and by getting to know all the
customers and their stories, that was kinda
her source of hope and laughter," Buehler said.
Buehler said the Little Red Mailbox is the shop's
way of paying forward what customers have
brought to them.
Inside the mailbox is a journal so visitors
and locals can share their thoughts, dreams or
feelings, or just visit what others have left
along their way.
"It's something where they can come and maybe
read the notes that have been written, leave
a note of hope, receive some inspiration or
provide some inspiration to the next person,"
Buehler said.
Ridgway is now the 14th location to bring hope
to its town.
Buehler said when she opened her business, she
never foresaw the family bond that was
established over the years.
"We're going to turn our page onto our 19th
year this year,This is primarily a business but
it's bigger than that now, it's like a big family.
We share in our customers lives, they come here
for their own kind of personal reasons,
therapy and laughter."
South Street Botanical Designs is hosting an
event to introduce the town to the Little
Red Mailbox Thursday.
The Little Red Mailbox was also installed in
Johnstown in 2016.